Posts in category: Tech News

Tensions within the WordPress community are escalating, with a brewing legal conflict between Automattic and WP Engine over trademark usage. Just days after WP Engine issued a cease-and-desist notice to Automattic’s CEO, Matt Mullenweg, Automattic has fired back with its own legal warning, accusing WP Engine of infringing on trademarks associated with WordPress and WooCommerce.

The Spark of the Dispute

The clash began when Mullenweg, who co-founded WordPress and serves as the CEO of Automattic, publicly criticized WP Engine last week. In a fiery statement, Mullenweg called the hosting company a “cancer to WordPress,” accusing it of profiteering off the open-source platform while contributing very little to the broader community. His comments did not go unnoticed, leading WP Engine to respond with a cease-and-desist letter, demanding that Mullenweg refrain from making further disparaging remarks about the company.

However, rather than backing down, Automattic has now issued its own cease-and-desist letter, accusing WP Engine of building a massive business — reportedly valued at over $400 million in revenue — by unlawfully using WordPress trademarks.

Trademark Infringement Allegations

Automattic’s cease-and-desist letter, dated Monday, outlines several serious claims against WP Engine, alleging that the company’s use of WordPress and WooCommerce trademarks is unauthorized and misleading to consumers. Automattic asserts that it holds the exclusive commercial rights to these trademarks through the WordPress Foundation, the non-profit that oversees the WordPress project.

According to the letter, WP Engine’s use of these trademarks has led to confusion among consumers, with some users believing that WP Engine is officially affiliated with WordPress. Automattic claims that this confusion has damaged the reputation and goodwill of its trademarks, leading to unjust enrichment for WP Engine.

“Your unauthorized use of our Client’s trademarks infringes on their rights and dilutes their famous and well-known marks,” the letter reads. “Negative reviews and comments regarding WP Engine and its offerings are imputed to our Client, thereby tarnishing our Client’s brands.”

Automattic is now demanding compensation for the profits WP Engine has earned through this alleged misuse of trademarks. The letter warns that if WP Engine does not resolve the matter amicably, Automattic will pursue a civil injunction to enforce its trademark rights.

WP Engine Defends Its Position

In response to Automattic’s claims, WP Engine has defended its right to use the WordPress trademark under fair use laws, pushing back against what it calls a “profound misunderstanding” of trademark law on Automattic’s part.

WP Engine’s own cease-and-desist letter, issued earlier this week, suggests that Mullenweg has attempted to strong-arm the company into paying tens of millions of dollars annually for a license to use the WordPress trademark. When WP Engine refused, the company alleges that Mullenweg launched a smear campaign, making false claims to damage WP Engine’s reputation with its employees, customers, and the broader public.

The letter does not shy away from criticizing Mullenweg personally, stating that his demands were “outrageous” and accusing him of trying to unfairly extract money from WP Engine under the guise of trademark enforcement.

The Community Impact and Legal Fallout

While this dispute plays out at the executive level, the implications for the broader WordPress community could be significant. Many in the WordPress ecosystem, including those who offer specialized hosting services, are watching closely as the battle could set a precedent for how WordPress-related businesses are able to operate and brand themselves moving forward.

The WordPress Foundation has already responded to the dispute by updating its Trademark Policy page to specifically call out WP Engine. The updated language suggests that WP Engine has misled users by implying an official connection to WordPress and criticizes the company for not contributing to the Foundation, despite making billions in revenue based on WordPress’s open-source software.

“The abbreviation ‘WP’ is not covered by the WordPress trademarks, but please don’t use it in a way that confuses people,” the policy now reads. “Many people think WP Engine is ‘WordPress Engine’ and officially associated with WordPress, which it’s not. They have never once even donated to the WordPress Foundation.”

Looking Ahead

With Automattic demanding compensation and threatening legal action, and WP Engine defending its right to use the WordPress trademark, this conflict seems poised to escalate further. Whether the two companies can reach an agreement or if the matter will be settled in court remains to be seen, but the outcome could reshape the relationship between WordPress and the many businesses that rely on its open-source platform.

For now, the WordPress community is left to wonder how this dispute will affect not only the future of these two companies but also the broader ecosystem that has grown around the platform over the years. As more details emerge, it’s clear that this is not just a private dispute but one with industry-wide consequences.

READ ALSO: Reddit Expands AI-Powered Translation to Over 35 Countries

Reddit, the popular social network known for its vast array of user-generated content and discussions, is making a major move to become more accessible worldwide. The platform has announced that it’s rolling out machine learning-powered translation services to more than 35 new countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. This effort is part of Reddit’s strategy to grow its user base by opening the predominantly English-language platform to more diverse linguistic communities.

Expanding Beyond English: The Global Push

While Reddit has long been an English-centric platform, the company is eager to tap into new international markets. Earlier this year, Reddit introduced site-wide translations for French-speaking users. Now, this latest expansion will allow users in a wide range of regions to engage with content in their native languages. Although Reddit has allowed users to translate individual posts into several languages for some time, this new rollout takes things to the next level by making both posts and comments automatically translated based on user preferences.

The introduction of automatic translations marks a big step in Reddit’s international growth, which the company has emphasized as a key to expanding its user base and increasing advertising revenue.

How the New Translation Feature Works

The key selling point of Reddit’s new feature is its ease of use. Users can now configure the platform to automatically translate both posts and comments from a community’s original language to the language of their choice. Essentially, Reddit aims to make cross-linguistic conversations seamless. For example, someone posting in Spanish in a subreddit could automatically have their post and comments translated into English for an English-speaking user—and vice versa.

To access this feature, users will see a translation icon in their menu that allows them to switch between the original language and their preferred one. Additionally, posts that have been translated by Reddit’s AI-powered system will be clearly labeled, giving users the option to view the original version if they choose.

Bridging Communities with Language

One of the most exciting possibilities for users is that conversations on Reddit can now flow naturally between different languages within the same subreddit. This eliminates the need for manual translation tools or switching between multiple platforms. Reddit’s automatic translations make the site more inclusive, enabling a greater exchange of ideas between diverse communities that were previously limited by language barriers.

This move is a clear effort to make Reddit a more global platform, allowing users to post in any language supported by Reddit. As long as a language is recognized and set in the community preferences, the post will be automatically translated for users viewing content in a different language.

Boosting Visibility Through Search

Reddit has another key advantage in rolling out this translation feature: improved search engine visibility. Similar to the rollout of translations in French earlier this year, Reddit content translated into other languages will now be indexed by search engines in those languages. This means that when people search on Google in their native language, they’ll be able to find relevant Reddit posts and discussions in search results.

This boost in visibility could bring even more traffic to Reddit as users from around the world stumble upon Reddit’s deep wells of knowledge through simple web searches in their own language.

A Gradual Rollout with More to Come

Reddit hasn’t yet revealed the full list of new languages it will support, but it has confirmed that as of today, the translation service is available in Brazil and Spain. This suggests that Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish are among the first new languages supported in this rollout.

In the coming weeks, Reddit also plans to extend its AI-powered translation services to countries such as Germany, Italy, the Philippines, and other markets across Latin America. This gradual approach ensures that Reddit can fine-tune its AI translation capabilities for each language and region before a broader rollout.

A Multilingual Future for Reddit

Reddit’s move to bring AI-powered translations to dozens of new countries marks an important step in its transformation from an English-heavy platform to a truly global social network. By making its vast content more accessible to non-English speakers, Reddit not only increases its appeal to new users but also creates a more inclusive space for discussions, knowledge-sharing, and community-building across languages.

This new feature isn’t just about reaching more users—it’s about building bridges between communities that, until now, may have been separated by language barriers. With automatic translations in place, Reddit is positioning itself as a platform where anyone, from anywhere, can connect and contribute regardless of the language they speak.

READ ALSO: Caroline Ellison Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for FTX Fraud

In a stunning conclusion to one of the biggest financial scandals in recent history, Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research, an affiliate of FTX, has been sentenced to two years in prison. Her role in the FTX fraud case has captured global attention, particularly given the shocking revelations about the scope of the scam.

A Critical Figure in the FTX Scandal

Ellison’s case has drawn particular interest, not just because of her leadership role at Alameda Research, but because of her close association with Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX. Together, they were at the heart of a massive scheme that involved the misappropriation of $8 billion in customers’ funds. While Ellison pled guilty, her cooperation with authorities set her apart from her former colleagues.

Cooperation Leads to Lighter Sentence

Ellison, despite her involvement, played a critical role in unraveling the intricate fraud. She chose to cooperate extensively with law enforcement, providing crucial insights into how the scam unfolded. Her willingness to help prosecutors get to the bottom of the situation undoubtedly influenced her relatively light sentence of two years. In contrast, Sam Bankman-Fried, who did not cooperate and maintains his innocence, has been sentenced to 25 years behind bars.

Bankman-Fried’s Appeal Continues

While Ellison’s fate seems more or less sealed, Bankman-Fried isn’t going down without a fight. The former FTX founder, who is now serving his 25-year sentence, is actively appealing his conviction. Unlike Ellison, Bankman-Fried chose to plead not guilty, a move that placed him in a far more adversarial position with prosecutors.

Former FTX Executives Await Sentencing

Ellison and Bankman-Fried weren’t the only high-profile figures caught in the crosshairs of this scandal. Gary Wang and Nishad Singh, both former FTX executives, are still awaiting their day in court. Like Ellison, their involvement in the fraud has been widely reported, and their sentences could vary greatly depending on how cooperative they’ve been with investigators.

The Broader Implications of the FTX Scandal

The downfall of FTX and the subsequent criminal trials have sent shockwaves through the crypto world. Once considered a rising star, FTX was emblematic of the potential for blockchain technology and cryptocurrency to revolutionize finance. However, the company’s collapse has raised serious questions about the oversight and regulation of digital assets.

The trial has also cast a spotlight on the ethical responsibilities of leaders in tech and finance. Ellison’s choice to cooperate with authorities may have earned her some leniency, but her role in enabling such a large-scale fraud won’t soon be forgotten. Her sentence, while relatively light compared to Bankman-Fried’s, still reflects the serious consequences of financial misdeeds at such a high level.

What’s Next for Caroline Ellison?

With her two-year sentence handed down, Ellison will have time to reflect on her choices. Her cooperation with authorities may be seen as an attempt to right some of the wrongs she was involved in, but her future is undoubtedly uncertain. The once-promising executive is now a convicted felon, and while two years may seem like a short time, the damage to her reputation and career will likely be lasting.

The sentencing of Caroline Ellison marks another chapter in the ongoing fallout from the FTX scandal. As the legal proceedings against other executives continue, it’s clear that this case is far from over. What happens next could shape the future of cryptocurrency regulation and corporate governance in the digital age.

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Epic Games has officially launched the Epic Games Store on iPads in a major development for gamers across the European Union. Just one day after third-party app stores were allowed on iPads under new EU regulations, Epic announced on social media platform X. However, this new feature comes with a catch: you need to be located in an EU country and have an Apple account registered in that region to install the store.

A Step Forward Thanks to the Digital Markets Act

The launch of the Epic Games Store on iPad is a direct result of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This legislation, aimed at promoting competition and fairness in the digital marketplace, has been rolling out over the past year. The European Commission, which enforces the DMA, identified several “gatekeepers” that control essential platform services. Apple’s iPadOS, the operating system that powers the iPad, was a late addition to this list of regulated platforms.

Once designated as a gatekeeper, Apple was given six months to comply with DMA rules. This meant they had to ensure that users in the EU could install alternative app stores beyond Apple’s own App Store. Last Friday, Apple confirmed that this would be possible with the release of iPadOS 18.

Epic Games Wastes No Time

Epic Games, a long-time advocate for more open platforms, didn’t waste any time. The company released its Epic Games Store for iPad the day after iPadOS 18 became available. It’s clear that Epic had been preparing for this moment, as the company had already launched the store on iOS earlier this year. The inclusion of third-party app stores has been allowed on the iPhone for several months, also due to the DMA.

The iPad version of the Epic Games Store is nearly identical to what users see on iOS. To install it, users must visit Epic’s official website. Once installed, iPad users can access and download popular games like Fall Guys, Fortnite, and Rocket League Sideswipe — all optimized for full-screen play on the iPad.

Epic Games’ Vision for the Future

When Epic Games initially brought its store to iOS, the company expressed hopes of collaborating with other game developers, allowing them to release their titles on iOS and iPadOS without having to rely on the Apple App Store. This would provide developers with more freedom and potentially reduce the fees associated with Apple’s store. However, no significant updates have been made on this front yet, signalling that this broader vision is still a work in progress.

What This Means for iPad Users

For iPad users in the EU, this is a significant moment. The introduction of third-party app stores opens up new opportunities for gaming and software development on Apple’s closed ecosystem. The Epic Games Store will now compete directly with Apple’s App Store, providing users with alternative ways to access and download their favorite games.

With Fortnite now officially back on the iPad — after its removal from the App Store due to a high-profile legal battle between Apple and Epic Games — this news will surely excite fans of the game. The EU’s Digital Markets Act has proven to be a game-changer in creating a more open and competitive app market, and Epic Games’ quick launch is a testament to the possibilities that lie ahead.

A Glimpse Into the Future of App Stores on Apple Devices

The launch of third-party app stores like Epic Games Store on both iOS and iPadOS could mark the beginning of a more open ecosystem for Apple users in the European Union. While Epic has been one of the most vocal proponents for change, other developers are likely to follow suit in the coming months. This means that the app marketplace could become more diverse and competitive, offering users more choices while potentially lowering costs for developers.

The Epic Games Store is limited to a handful of titles, but the future looks promising as more developers might join in. Whether this trend will eventually extend beyond Europe remains to be seen, but for now, EU gamers have much to look forward to.

READ ALSO: Apple’s iOS 18: What’s New and What’s Coming Later

Apple’s much-anticipated iOS 18 update is here, rolling out today for iPhone users worldwide. Although artificial intelligence (AI) was heavily touted as a core part of this upgrade, Apple’s more advanced Apple Intelligence features aren’t actually part of this release. Instead, they will be introduced with iOS 18.1, initially launching in the U.S. before expanding to other countries in the coming months.

Personalization Takes Center Stage in iOS 18

The big focus of iOS 18 is all about personalization. The update introduces customizable icons, a refreshed Control Center, and new privacy features that let you lock or hide apps. These changes aim to give users more control over how their iPhones look and function.

One standout feature is the ability to move icons freely on the home screen grid or enlarge them, which hides the app’s label. It’s perfect for those who want a sleeker, more personalized Home Screen layout. This will particularly appeal to younger users, especially Gen Z, who embraced custom icons back when iOS 14 first allowed this type of flexibility. Users can also switch between dark mode or customize their icons with tinted colors, adding another layer of customization.

Third-party app developers are also on board, creating their own custom icons to take advantage of this new functionality. While some apps may have these icons ready on launch day, others will roll out updates in the coming weeks.

Revamped Control Center Offers More Customization

The iOS Control Center, which has always provided quick access to essential functions, also sees a big revamp in this update. By default, it now features four pages—favorites, music, home, and connectivity. The connectivity page offers control over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and your personal hotspot. However, everything in the Control Center is customizable, letting you add or remove pages or individual icons depending on your needs.

This new flexibility makes the iPhone’s interface even more user-friendly, offering easier access to the tools and apps you use most.

Lock Screen Flexibility

Apple has also introduced more freedom on the Lock Screen. Users can now swap out Lock Screen shortcuts to suit their preferences. For example, you can replace the default camera shortcut with a third-party app like Obscura or Halide. This customization is particularly handy for those who want quicker access to their most-used apps.

Enhanced Privacy with App Locking

In terms of privacy, iOS 18 offers more control over apps. You can now lock apps behind Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, and even hide them from the Home Screen. Once hidden, they will only be accessible through a new hidden folder in the App Library. This added layer of security will appeal to those who want to keep their sensitive apps under wraps.

Redesigned Photos App: Mixed Reactions

The Photos app has received a significant redesign, although not all users have embraced the changes. Apple has done away with the tabs at the bottom of the screen, opting instead for a single-page design. This update aims to highlight various collections from your library, but some users have complained that the app is now harder to navigate.

You’ll still see familiar album sections like People & Pets, Recent Days, and Pinned Collections, but the new organization also introduces categories like Trips and Memories. Users can customize the visibility and order of these sections, but the overall experience might feel a bit clunky for some. Apple has tweaked the design since the initial beta release and may continue to refine it based on user feedback.

RCS Support Bridges the Gap Between iPhone and Android

In a major update for communication, Apple has added support for Rich Communication Services (RCS) in iOS 18. This upgraded version of SMS will allow Android users to send high-quality media and get typing indicators and read receipts when messaging iPhone users. While Android messages will still appear in the dreaded green bubbles, this improvement helps bridge the gap between the two platforms.

Updates to the Phone App and Other Tools

The Phone app gets a subtle but useful update, making it easier to search through call logs and quickly find contacts via the number pad. You’ll also be able to switch between SIM cards during calls, which is especially useful for international travelers or those with multiple lines.

Another handy feature is live voicemail transcription, now available in a dozen more languages and regions, making it easier to see what’s been said without having to listen to the voicemail.

In addition, Apple has introduced a new Passwords app that brings all your saved passwords into one easy-to-access place. Previously, these credentials were tucked away in the Settings app. Now, they have their own dedicated app, although it won’t support storing items like credit cards or secure notes, unlike third-party password managers such as 1Password or Dashlane.

New Features in iOS 18

Other new additions in iOS 18 include:

• The ability to schedule messages, perfect for sending reminders or greetings at specific times.
• Multilingual keyboard support, which makes typing in multiple languages easier and more intuitive.
• Improved language search for certain Indian languages and added Hindi support in the Translation app.
• The Notes app now supports collapsible sections and audio transcriptions.
• Advanced math equations can be handled by the Calculator app.

What About Apple Intelligence?

Apple Intelligence, the much-hyped AI feature, is expected to arrive later this year with iOS 18.1. At this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) and the recent iPhone 16 launch, Apple spent a lot of time talking about its plans for AI-powered tools. But for now, the iPhone 16, which Apple claims was “built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence,” will ship without these features.

Apple Intelligence will first be available in the U.S. in October, with plans to expand to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. by year’s end. Support for additional languages like Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish will roll out next year.

Some of the features Apple is testing in developer betas include AI-powered writing tools, notification summaries, and a new focus mode called “Reduce Interruptions.” The company is also exploring a tool that lets you remove unwanted objects or people from photos. While it’s unclear when these features will be available to the public, only the latest iPhones—like the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 series—will support these AI-powered tools.

Final Thoughts

The initial release of iOS 18 offers plenty of exciting features, especially around customization and privacy. But the real game-changer—Apple Intelligence—won’t arrive until iOS 18.1 later this year. For now, the update gives iPhone users more control over how their devices look and function, with even more innovative tools on the horizon.

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TikTok is stepping up its game against YouTube Music and Shazam with an innovative feature called “Sound Search.” This new tool allows users to discover songs by singing, humming, or playing them. Although it is currently available only to a select group of users in specific regions, the company confirmed to TechCrunch that it aims to roll it out more broadly in the future.

Enhancing the TikTok Experience

Sound Search is designed to enhance the user experience on TikTok by providing an additional method to find what you’re looking for on the platform. Given the rapid evolution of song-based trends on TikTok, this tool can help users stay updated with the latest trends and understand them better.

Comparison with Competitors

TikTok’s Sound Search is reminiscent of YouTube Music’s song detection tool, which allows users to identify songs by singing, humming, or playing them. While Shazam is well-known for its song recognition capabilities, it only works if the actual song is played. In contrast, TikTok and YouTube Music’s features go a step further by enabling song identification through singing or humming.

However, TikTok’s tool isn’t just about identifying songs. It also shows users videos that incorporate the identified songs, providing a more immersive experience.

Real-World Testing

In my testing, Sound Search demonstrated its effectiveness. Popular songs on the app were easily recognized. For instance, when I hummed Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” the tool quickly identified it and displayed popular videos featuring the song or its remixes. Similarly, singing the well-known “oh no oh no oh no no no” sound yielded immediate results.

Despite its impressive performance with popular songs, the tool showed some glitches with less common sounds. When I tested Hilary Duff’s “Fly,” the tool recognized the song but failed to show any related videos, instead presenting generic search results. The same issue occurred with One Direction’s “Magic.”

READ ALSO: OpenAI’s Former Chief Scientist Launches New Startup Focused on Superintelligence

Understanding TikTok Sounds

Interestingly, TikTok’s Sound Search also detected popular TikTok-specific sounds and memes. For example, it recognized the “Oh my gosh, she’s bald” sound from an episode of “Totally Spies” and the “Nobody’s gonna know” sound created by a TikTok user. This suggests that while the tool is designed primarily for song identification, it also has the potential to recognize popular TikTok sounds.

Accessing Sound Search

If you have access to this feature, you can find it by navigating to the search bar in the TikTok app, clicking on the microphone icon, and selecting “Sound Search.” This new tool significantly enhances TikTok’s search capabilities, making it even more user-friendly.

The Future of Sound Search

With this new feature, TikTok hopes users will turn to its app for song identification instead of relying on YouTube Music, Shazam, or even Google. Sounds play a crucial role on TikTok, driving trends and sometimes leading to chart-topping hits for artists. Therefore, it’s no surprise that TikTok is focusing on improving song discovery on its platform while also challenging its competitors.

Currently, it remains unclear when TikTok will release Sound Search to all users. However, given its potential to enhance user experience and its competitive edge, it’s a feature worth looking forward to.

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